Answers to common questions, and some trusted resources you can use to learn more about vaccines.

We at Stellis Health believe that vaccines are an essential part of keeping your children healthy and safe. We recommend vaccines be given by the schedule proposed by the Center of Disease Control (CDC), Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The schedule is based on years of scientific study on millions of children by thousands of our brightest scientists and physicians. It is agreed upon by a committee of 49 members from many different agencies. Most families do vaccinate their children on the regular time schedule. Without vaccines, there would be many more lives lost and many more disabilities would happen. In the early 1900s, one out of every 6 children died by the age of 5 from an infectious disease. All eligible children need to be vaccinated to protect themselves and our community. We have seen recent breakouts of Hib, pertussis, chickenpox, and measles in Minnesota because of under immunization. We have all spent time in our training taking care of critically ill children in pediatric intensive care units, and we are dedicated to preventing that from happening to your child. Children have died from diseases that could have been prevented by vaccines. Vaccines undergo rigorous testing and oversight from public and private organizations for 10 to 15 years before being released for distribution.

We realize you may have some concerns about vaccines. Here are answers to common questions, and some trusted resources you can use to learn more about vaccines.

Some parents have concerns about autism or other neurobehavioral disorders.

There have been numerous studies to clarify the concern of a possible link of vaccines with autism and neurobehavioral disorders. There is no longer a question of whether there might be a link—there is not.

There has been no mercury-containing preservative in childhood vaccines since 2001 except for the flu vaccine, which can be given preservative free. In addition, studies have shown there was never an issue between mercury in vaccines and any medical problems.

There is more aluminum in breast milk than there is in all of the vaccines given in the first 6 months. Formula is even higher. Vaccines = 4.4mg of aluminum over 6 months, breast milk = 7mg, milk-based formula = 38mg, and soy-based formula = 117mg.

Trace amounts of formaldehyde, used to inactivate potential contamination, may also be in some vaccines. However, the amount is hundreds of times less than the amount of formaldehyde humans get from other sources, such as fruit. Our body even naturally produces more formaldehyde than what is in vaccines.

Every substance on earth can be harmful when taken at high levels. Vaccine components are all under levels known to harm children.

Some parents are concerned that the amount of vaccines will overwhelm their child’s immune system.

When your child was born, they were immediately and naturally exposed to 1,000,000 antigens (this is the medical term for what the immune system has to respond to). If your child were to receive one dose of every vaccine on the childhood immunization schedule all at the same time, they would be exposed to 177 different antigens (see below). In the 1960s, the vaccines had 3200 antigens. The common cold has 100,000 antigens. Vaccines prime the immune system to be able to fight the actual infectious agents, but use antigens in a safe and controlled manner.

We know there are more vaccines now, AND that is a good thing. Ask your doctor how many fewer ill or hospitalized children they see now because of vaccines. We live in a fortunate time when we can prevent our children from getting certain illnesses. It is because of the fact vaccines are so effective that parents don’t see the real illnesses that did overwhelm a child’s immune system.

There is no evidence that delaying or doing an alternative schedule is beneficial. There is evidence that it puts your child at risk for contracting preventable infectious diseases.

Doing the alternative Sears’ vaccine schedule delays a child’s protection, and results in 18 visits for vaccines rather than the recommended 7 visits.

Some parents believe that the diseases were going away on their own or that even if their child gets the disease, medicine can treat them.

Sanitation and prevention has helped decrease some diseases like polio, but the majority of diseases that we have vaccines for have been reduced due to vaccines, and many of us have witnessed their positive effects in our practice.

Some of the diseases we have vaccines for we do not have medicines to treat or cure, like measles, mumps, rubella, rotavirus, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, HPV, and polio.

Of the diseases we do have treatments for, your child may be harmed permanently or die before we diagnose them or treat them.

We know for certain that when people stop vaccinating, the diseases increase and cause outbreaks, like we have seen for pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, chickenpox, and influenza. Vaccines work.

For most disease we vaccinate for, the infection is contagious 1-2 days before symptoms appear, which means we can spread the illness to others before we know we have it.

For those who still choose not to vaccinate, delay vaccination, or do an alternative schedule, it is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics:

To have you sign a refusal to vaccinate form.

To add this decision to your child’s medical chart so health care providers are aware that this patient is at risk for these particular infections.

We are making you aware of these facts not to upset or coerce you, but to emphasize how strongly the worldwide medical community believes in the health of your children. Don’t forget that most of us are parents ourselves, and we have vaccinated our children for the medical benefits it provides. If you have any questions, please talk with us any time.